Infant incubator



June' 24, 1941.

T. A. TAYLoR INFANT INCUBATOR 3 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 15, 1939 um QS v Aun INVENTOR. 7m. @1r/0R & nl Q. @eM/e June 24, 1941. T, A TAYLOR 42,246,820

INFANT INCUBATOR Filed Feb. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June 24, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,246,820y INFANT INcUBA'roR Thaddeus A. Taylor, Lufkin, Tex. Application February 13, 1239, Serial No. 256,243

(Cl. 12S- 1) 11 Claims.`

This invention relates to an infant incubator and more particularly to an incubator for administering conditioned air and oxygen in desired proportions.

An object is to provide a device of the class described for administering a conditioned at-A mosphere either below or above the ambient ternpcrature by convection. l

Another object is to provide an incubator in which the air entering the same is filtered to remove dust particles or air transmitted organisms.

Another object is to provide an incubator including both heating and cooling means so as to provide the desired temperature whether such temperature be above or below the surrounding atmosphere.

It is also an object to provide an incubator including humidifying means which may utilize the liquid from melting ice or which may contain water placed therein for humidiiication purposes.

It is also an object to provide means for controlling the surface area of the liquid used for humidifying purposes.

Still another object is to provide a device of the class described wherein the humidity at the opposite ends may be different so that two infants requiring different atmospheric conditions may be treated simultaneously.

Still another object is to provide an infant incubator in which there are no moving parts, the circulation and conditioning of the atmosphere being effected convectionally.

These and other objects will beapparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is an elevational view'of a construction embodying the invention. t c

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of` the device shown in Fig. 1. i

Fig. 3 is an end elevation taken from the left of the embodiment as shown in Fig. 1 and includes mechanism `for introducing an oxygen air mixture to the device.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 4`4 in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the device.

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on line 6-6 in Fig. 2.

Fig. '7 is a sectional view through the heating element comprising an element of the invention.

A construction embodying the invention is shown in side elevation in Fig. 1 as comprising a cabinet having legs 2, the entire unit being mounted upon casters 3 in order to provide portability of the device.

`As will more fully appear the cabinet I includes an incubation chamber and an ice chaml ber, the former being provided with windows 4 to facilitate the admission of light to the interior of the treatment chamber. c

The cover for the incubation chamber comprises a large door 5 attached to the cabinet by means of hinges E. Spaced members 'l are mounted above the ice chamber to serve as stops for the `door 5 and also as handles to be grasped when it is desired to move the incubator from place to place.

The door 5 is opened when it is desired to place the infant within the incubation chamber or to remove it therefrom. To facilitate care of the infant and at the same time avoid undue changes in the atmosphere within the cabinet I `small doors 8 and Sfare mounted upon the larger door 5 by means of hinges Il). These small doors 8 and 9 are likewise provided with plate glass windows I as best seen in Fig. 2.

An incubation chamber is clearly shown at 2|) in Fig. 2. Within this chamber is an infant support generally indicated as 2| and comprising longitudinal members 22 supporting transverse slats 23 upon which a mattress 24 is placed. Spacers 25 are secured to the end and side walls of the chamber 2U to provide intervening spaces or passages whereby the conditioned atmosphere within the device may circulate freely upwardly about the infant support 2| as indicated by the arrows 26.

The end 3B of the cabinet is provided rwith Van opening in which are xed upwardly and downwardly sloping louvers 3| and 32 to permit the passage of air from the chamber 2|). A slidable door 33 is mounted upon the exterior of the Wall 3llso that the passage thru the louvers 3| and 32 may be controlled. Attention is directed to the fact that this door is so constructed that the passage through the louvers 3| and 32 will never be completely closed. Y

Opposite the end 3|) there is provided a partition 35 toform an ice chamber 36. While this chamber is referred to as an ice chamber it is to be understood that under certain conditions it may be unnecessary to provide a refrigerant Within this chamber. The terminology is hence used generically and not by way of limitation.

A humidifying pan is mounted upon the bottomof both the chambers 20 and 36. This pan has a depressed central portion 42 and an elevated portion 43 so that a humidifying liquid contained therein will have a materially different surface area if the quantity of liquid is increased to cover the portion 43.

The portion 45 of the pan beneath the ice chamber 36 is slightly above the level of the p0rtion 43 and there is placed thereon a corrugated support member 4E to supplement the wire mesh 41 in supporting a refrigerant placed. within the chamber 36. It is believed apparent that the ice supporting structure provides a passage or opening 48 between the ice chamber and the incubation chamber. This passage or opening permits the circulation of an atmosphere and also conducts liquid from within the ice chamber to the pan 40.

It is to be understood that in event ice is not used or it is desired to maintain a body of water within the pan 40, such water may be introduced thru the ice chamber 36.

The partition 35 is also provided with an openin g 50 near its upper end, a door 5I being attached t hinges 52 so that this passage mayv be opened or closed as desired. Openings 48 and 50 hence provide spaced circulatory passages which serve a purpose that will be more fully apparent by reference to the description of the mode of operation of the device.

Between the stop or handle members 'I there is provided an opening 5I for access to the interior of the ice chamber 35, A door 52 is hinged at 53 to cover this opening and is provided with a gasket 54. Similar gaskets are provided for each of doors 5, 8 and 9 in order to provide an air seal between the doors and the adjacent complementary surfaces.

Drain pipes 60, 6 i, and G2 pass thru the bottom of the pan 40 and are secured at their lower end to the trapped drain pipe 53 which discharges excess liquid to a suitable container (not shown) resting uponthe shelf 64. Pipes 6I and 62 are provided with valves 65 and 66. It is believedy apparent that the pan 40 is completely drained if valve 6B is open. If, however, this valve is closed while valve 65 remains open the water will cover the entire depressed portion 42 of the pan. If both of valves 65 and 66 are closed the water will rise to the upper end of overflow pipe 60 thereby covering the elevated portion 43 of the pan. In this manner there is provided two stages of water level within the pan 40, such stages providing different surface areas of the liquid within the pan. The overow pipe 60 prevents liquid from rising into the portion 45 beneath the ice chamber 36.

In order to supply heat to the atmosphere circulating within the incubation chamber 20 there is provided an opening 'I0 in the bottom` 4I of the incubation chamber. Walls 1I surround this opening and. extend downwardly to the shelf 64 to form the heating chamber 72. While any suitable type 0f heating element may be utilized within the chamber 12, as for example steam, hot water or an electrical heating unit, the preferred constructionV is shown as, comprising an electrical' heating element 13. This element is constructed as more clearly shown in Fig. '7 and comprises a heating unit. 80 of the encased type so as to avoid the possibility of ignition of either the atmosphere or any material coming in contact therewith. This unit is positioned in an outer shell 8| having corrugated copper plates 82 secured to its inner wall. This construction provides a large radiation surface and at the same time passageways or chimneys 85 to enhance the CTI natural convection of the atmosphere heated thereby.

Provision is made for admitting air to the heating element "I3 either from the incubation chamber 20 or from the exterior of the incubator.

Fresh air is admitted to the chamber I2 from an opening 93 in one of the walls I. This opening is provided with a sliding door 3l which is manually operable to adjust the opening leading to the chamber '12.

A filter 95 is positioned in front of the opening 9D so that the air admitted thru this opening will be ltered preliminary to further conditioning within the cabinet. This filter may be of glass wool or other type of lter well known in the art. It is however desirable that the lter 35 be so constructed as to offer a minimum of resistance to the passage of air to the interior of the heating chamber l2.

In order to provide for the passage of air from the incubation chamber 2i! to the heating charnber 'I2 an air chute |50 as best seen in Fig. 4, as provided at each side of the incubation chamber. This air chute extends from a point above the mattress 24 to a point at or adjacent the lower end of the heating element i3. Thgese chutes permit the movement of air from the incubation chamber downwardly to the heating chamber.

Directly above the heating chamber i2 the pan 40 is provided with a group of conduits or wells H35 arrayed transversely of the pan to provide passageways for air from the heating chamber 'I2 upwardly to the incubation chamber 20. A baiile plate IBG ts between the conduits 35, is secured thereto and extends upwardly therefrom to support a deflector II at its upper end. One or more openings |68 are provided in the baille IDB to permit liquids to flow from end to end of the pan 40.

Metal cover strips IIil andv Iii (see Fig. 6) t about the upper ends of the conduits ISE and abut the baiiie I 06. At the opposite sides of these cover strips are plates II2 and II3 supported upon members I I4 and rods I I5 and I I6 and have their edges in spaced relation with the sides of the incubation chamber to form passageways adjacent the walls of the chamber.

The rods II5 and IIS are rotatably mounted in the walls of the cabinet I and have shutters III and II8 secured thereto. One end o'f each of these rods extends to the exterior of the cabinet and has xed thereon a lever |28 so that the position of these shutters may be manually adjusted exteriorly of the cabinet.

It is believed apparent that by means of the construction just described the adjustment will be such that heated air rising thru the conduits |05 will be permitted to pass directly upwardly about the mattress 24. Alternately by lifting either or both of the shutters II 0 and III into engagement with the ange |09 to direct a part or all of the air from the conduits I downwardly into the pan 40 so that the-air will be humidiiied preliminary to its movement upwardly about the mattress 24. A further feature of this construction is that the shutters I I and III may be differently adjusted to provide different conditionsV of humidity at the opposite ends'of the chamber 23, a condition which would be desirable in the event infants requiring diierent humidities wereV treated simultaneously. It is to be understood that a hygrometer or hygrometers will' be positioned Within the incubation chamber in order to indicate any departure from desired conditions of humidity.

In many cases it is desirable not only to control the temperature and humidity but to also-add to the confined atmosphere a supplemental volume of oxygen as is well known in the art of oxygen therapy. .As is best shown in Fig. 3 provision is made for introducing oxygen from cylinder |20 thru tube |2| and oxygen air mixing valve |22 to the interior of the ice chamber 36. Mixing valve |22 may be of any suitable type but is preferably of the construction disclosed in my co-pending application," Serial No. 120,160 `filed Jan. l2, 1937. Through the use of this type of mixing valve, oxygen and air `areintroduced in the interior of the cabinet thru the conduit |23 entering the ice chamber 33.

As shown in Fig. 3 electrical energy is supplied to the incubator thru a conventional cord |25 which terminates in a fuse box |23. A pilot light |21 in the door of this box indicates when electrical current is fiowing thru the conductor |28 to the heating unit A thermostat |30 is also connected to the electric circuit and serves to disconnect the source of electric current from the heating element when the desired temperature of the atmosphere in the incubatoris reached.

From the foregoing description it is believed apparent as to the various modes of operation in order that the inherent capabilities of the construction may be realized. Byway of illustration it may be noted that if it is desired to provide an atmosphere having a temperature greater than the temperature of the ambient, the thermostat |30 will be set, the opening of door 33 will be adjusted and doors 9| and 52 will be opened, whereupon fresh air will be admitted to the heating element 13 and will pass upwardly into the incubation chamber and out thru the louvers 3|, 32 and through the opening 50. Desired humidification of the air may be provided by introducing water to the pan through the door 52' and by adjusting the shutter elements ||0 and as desired. If recirculation of the air is desired the door 9| will be partially or entirely closed, whereupon the air in the incubation chamber will pass downwardly thru the air chutes |33 to be heated by the heating elements 13 and returned to the incubation chamber. Obviously, if desired an oxygen enriched air may be admitted thru the ice chamber 36 to be mixed with the air circulating within the enclosure. In such case doors 52 and 3| will be closed so that desired heating or cooling of the atmosphere will be effected and at the same time there will be a constant though limited escape of air through the door 33.

If it is desired to lower the temperature within the incubation chamber a suitable refrigerant may be placed in the chamber 36. Door 9| is closed and door 52 is opened. The heating element 'i3 will of course be inoperative and circulation of the atmosphere will take place from the ice chamber thru the opening 48 to the spaces above the -pan lili, thence upwardly about the mattress 24 and return to the ice chamber thru the opening iii). Fresh air must be admitted to the `b-ox at all times. I-Ience, when using a refrigerant to lower the temperature within the incubation` chamber the door 52 may be opened any suitable amount, stale air being discharged through the door 33. If it is desired that no moisture be added to the atmosphere the pan 40 may be entirely drained by opening valve 66.

If oxygen is to be administered at a temperature below the ambient temperature, ice or other refrigerant will be used in chamber 35, doors-52'` and 9| will be closed and door 5l will be opened, the thermostat being set at a desired temperature. The stale air will be discharged through door 33 and in event the temperature falls slightly `below the desired value, heating element 13 will be energized for a sufficient length of time to reestablish the proper temperature.

From the foregoing it is believed apparent that the present invention provides a construction which is highly ilexible in its operation and one which is capable of providing any condition de-` sirable in the care of small infants.

`What is claimed is:

l. In an infant incubator the combination of anincubation chamber, an ice chamber at one endV thereof, a humidifying pan beneath said chambers and communicating with the bottom of the ice chamber, means for controlling the amount of liquid in said pan and determining the surface area of liquid within the pan, a cover for said pan, said cover having its edges spaced from the walls of the incubation chamber, a heating chamber beneath said pan, passages through said pan for conducting air from. the heating chamber to the incubation chamber, and adjustable means in said cover for controlling the path of flow of fluid from said passages.

2. An infant incubator comprising a cabinet having an incubation chamber and an ice lchamber, a humidifying pan in the bottom of said chambers, there being communication between the ice chamber and .the pan so that the pan receives water from within the ice chamber, an infant support within the bed chamber and means for maintaining said support in spaced relation with the walls of said chamber so that air from the ice chamber passes upwardly about the support after contact with the liquid in the humidifying pan.

3. An infant incubator comprising a cabinet having an incubation chamber and an ice chamber, a humidifying pan in the bottom of said incubaton chamber communicating with the bottom of the ice chamber so that the pan is adapted to receive water from within the ice chamber, and upper and lower openings between said chambers so that the atmosphere within the chambers will circulate convectionally and will contact the liquid inthe pan.

4. In an infant incubator` the combination of an incubation chamber, an infant support within said chamber, means for maintaining said support in spaced relation with the walls of the chamber, an ice chamber at one end of the fncubation chamber, upper and lower openings between said chambers for circulation of a conditioned atmosphere through the incubation chamber, and a humidifying pan beneath said chambers communicating with the bottom of the ice chamber to receive liquid from within the ice chamber to humidify the circulated atmosphere.

5. In `an infant incubator the combination of an incubation chamber, an infant support within said chamber, means for maintaining said support in spaced relation with the walls of the chamber, an ice chamber at one end of the incubation chamber, upper and lower openings between said chambers for circulation of a conditioned atmosphere through the incubation chamber, a humidifying pan beneath said chambers, said lower opening communicating with said pan so that the pan is adapted to receive liquid from within the ice chamber to humidify the circulated atmosphere, and means for controlling the area of the liquid surface within said pan.

6. In an infant incubator the combination of an incubation chamber, an ice chamber at one end of the incubation chamber, upper and lower openings between said chambers for convectional circulation of an atmosphere therethrough, a humidifying pan beneath said chambers, a cover for said pan, said cover having its edges in spaced relation with the walls of the incubation chamber, and shutters in said cover for controlling the exposure of the atmosphere to the liquid Within the pan.

7. In an infant incubator the combination of an incubation chamber, a humidifying pan beneath said chamber, a cover for said pan, a heating chamber beneath the rst mentioned chamber, passages through said pan to admit heated air convectionally to the incubation chamber, and air chutes between said chambers to conduct air downwardly from the incubation chamber to the heating chamber.

8. In an infant incubator the combination of an incubation chamber, an infant support within said chamber, a heating chamber beneath said incub-ation chamber, means for heating the air within the heating chamber, passages for conducting the heated air into the incubation charnber about said support and air chutes extending downwardly from a point above the support to the heating chamber for conducting air from the upper portion of the incubation chamber to the bottom of the heating chamber, whereby the atmosphere within the incubator is circulated convectionally between said chambers.

9. In an infant incubator the combination of an incubation chamber having an opening in one end thereof, a humidifying pan beneath said chamber, said pan having a stepped bottom whereby the surface area of liquid therein may be controlled, a heating chamber, a passage between said chambers for conducting heated air to the incubation chamber, and an opening in said heating chamber for admitting air to the interior of the heating chamber.

10. In an infant incubator, an incubation chamber, an infant support therein in spaced relation with the walls of the chamber, a humidifying pan in the bottom of said chamber, a cover for said pan, air passages upwardly through said pan and cover, and means for dverting the air from said passages toward the opposite ends of the incubation chamber.

11. In an infant incubator, an incubation chamber, an infant support therein in spaced relation with the walls of the chamber, a humidifying pan in the bottom of said chamber, a cover for said pan, air passages upwardly through said pan and cover and means for diverting the air from said passages toward the opposite ends of the incubation chamber, said cover including shutters for controllably diverting the air from the passages to the liquid within the humidifying pan, and means extending to the exterior of the incubator for adjustably positioning said shutters.

THADDEUS A. TAYLOR. 

